Miss Pulaski County 2024 Maggie Smith with her court - first runner-up and Peoples Choice winner Raegan Kasten, and court members Anna Jones and Jazmine Prater.  Also pictured is Miss Pulaski County 2023 Alexia Intravaia (left).

(PulaskiPost photo)

2023 Queen Alexia Intravaia crowned her successor after giving an emotional farewell speech, sharing about her one-year reign and thanking family, friends and the community for their support.

Mistress of Ceremonies for the pageant was 2011 Miss Pulaski County Stacy Gudas Scott, who was also Miss Indiana State Fair Third Runner-up 2012.

The new queen is the 18-year-old daughter of Stephanie and Rory Smith. She is a recent graduate of Winamac Community High School. In the fall she will be a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana studying dentistry. Her pageant sponsor was Patchwork Pals ’76 Home Extension Club.

The mission of the Miss Pulaski County Queen Pageant is to empower young women in Pulaski County through personal growth, networking and community involvement.

The pageant committee has been working with the contestants through June on various professional life skills which helped them on pageant day, as well as assisting them in their future endeavors.

The 2024 Miss Pulaski County Queen will compete for the title of 2025 Miss Indiana State Fair at the annual pageant in January in Indianapolis.

The local pageant is made possible through the sponsorship of many local clubs and area merchants.

 

Local News Briefs

Independence Day fireworks July 4 in Winamac

WINAMAC - The annual Independence Day fireworks show will begin at dusk (about 10 p.m.), Thursday, July 4, at the Winamac Community High School practice football field.

Many businesses, organizations and individuals donate funds to make the fireworks display possible. Organizers report that, from the school, the fireworks display can be seen from about anywhere in Winamac, so it is not absolutely necessary to come to the school to view them.

4-H Fair Parade July 2

Note: parade route changed 

The annual Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair Parade, with the theme "Creativity Blooms in 4-H," will step off at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 2, in downtown Winamac.

The parade is organized by the Winamac Kiwanis Club in partnership with the Pulaski County Fair Association. The parade grand marshal will be 2023 Halleck Award winner Mike O'Connor. 

‘Evening at the Bridge’ set for July 3

Final events for Swinging Bridge centennial

WINAMAC – A pair of events are set to conclude the 100th anniversary celebration of the Memorial “Swinging” Bridge at the Winamac park which began last summer with the new LED lighting system installed on the footbridge.

The two events will be Wednesday, July 3. The first will be a dedication and burial of a time capsule at 5:30 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park (corner of Washington Street and U.S. 35). The second will be a family-friendly “Evening at the Bridge” gathering, following at 6 p.m., at the east-end of the bridge in the park.

Pulaski County Farmers Market open for 2024 season

Also offers POP Club

Pulaski County Farmers Market is open for the summer season with a weekly locations in Winamac.

The Market features fresh produce, plus, local meats, maple syrup, honey, eggs, baked goods, sweet treats, cut flowers and coffee. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays June through September, on Main Street in front of the courthouse in Winamac.

Parkview plans public Summer Festival series, including a farmers market

FRANCESVILLE – A monthly Summer Festival series has been planned by Parkview Haven in Francesville to run June through September at its facility on the north edge of town.

The event will feature a farmers market, plus local vendors, food trucks, arts and crafts and more. The public is welcome to participate.

Pulaski County Historical Society Museum open Saturdays

The Pulaski County Historical Society is open Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  (unless posted otherwise on Facebook). The museum is located in the “Carriage House” at 500 S. Monticello St. (U.S. 35), Winamac.

New to the museum are the interactive features which allow visitors to explore the extensive history of the county’s Native American peoples – from the Ice Age to the Indian removals in the 1840s. Other interactive displays feature stories of Casimir Pulaski, local historical sites, and Winamac “Bits and Pieces.”

State Road 14 to be closed east of Winamac

PULASKI/FULTON COUNTIES - SR 14 will close Wednesday (May 8) between CR 1100W and SR 17 in Fulton County. Approximately 1-mile closures will continue westward sequentially until the scheduled pipe replacements have been completed. Resurfacing of the entire roadway will follow.

While local access will be maintained, through traffic should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow US 35, SR 10 and SR 17.

 

Fair News

2024 4-H project judging results listed

Here are the first judging results released from 4-H project exhibits and pet shows at the 2024 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair. 

Results will be updated as they are received from the Extension office.

2024 Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair runs June 28-July 3

The annual Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair will run Friday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 3 at the county fairgrounds in the Winamac town park.  

The motto for the 2024 fair is Creativity Blooms in 4-H. Highlights of this year's fair, in addition to the 4-H exhibits and judging, will be an inflatable play center (Saturday and Sunday), musical entertainment, open class exhibits, queen pageants, youth talent show, hot air balloon-tethered rides, sports tournaments, the fair parade and 4-H Auction. 

Maggie Smith crowned 2024 Miss Pulaski County

Maggie Smith of Monterey was crowned Miss Pulaski County 2024 Friday evening from among four contestants at the annual pageant held at the county fairgrounds. The new queen was also named Miss Congeniality.

The queen’s court includes first runner-up Raegan Kasten, and court members Anna Jones and Jazmine Prater. The Peoples Choice Award was voted to Raegan Kasten.

Taylee Ringen, Raegan Kasten named 2024 4-H Royalty

Taylee Ringen and Raegan Kasten were crowned as Pulaski County’s 2024 4-H Royalty Friday afternoon during the annual 4-H Recognition program, marking the opening of this year's Pulaski County 4-H & Community Fair.

Members of their 4-H Court are Eli Overmyer, Alana Kasten and Leah Mitchell.

Indiana News

Abnormally hot, dry weather last week causes some concern for crops

EAST LANSING, MI - A heat wave combined with scant rainfall last week caused concern about the condition of Indiana corn and soybean crops according to Nathanial Warenski, state statistician, USDA NASS (National Agriculture Statistics Service), Indiana Field Office.

Topsoil moisture levels sharply decreased from the previous week, with 46 percent rated adequate or surplus. The average temperature for the week was 80.9 degrees Fahrenheit, 8.6 degrees above normal for the state. The statewide average precipitation was 0.62 inches, 0.27 inches below normal.

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 3.3% in May

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 3.3 percent in May, up from 2.9 percent in April, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday, (June 26). The rate was 3.0 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,641 employed persons in a labor force of 6,868 in May. In April those numbers were 6,529 of 6,724. A year ago the numbers were 6,661 of 6,868.

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

Summer 2024

The weekly updates on COVID, as well as influenza and RSV cases in Indiana and Pulaski County will be suspended through August (as long a counts remain low). Interestingly though, readership of these articles has remained strong to date. State stats may be accessed at www.coronavirus.in.gov

 

 

Post News

Single vehicle accident claims life of teenager

FRANCESVILLE – A single vehicle accident claimed the life of the male juvenile driver Saturday (June 29) about three miles east of Francesville in the area of CR 1250W near Roseland Cemetery.

The youth’s name has not been released by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s office at this time out of respect for the family, who have been notified.

New film documentary celebrates Winamac’s ‘Power From the Past’ show tradition

Remember when?

Winamac’s favorite ramble through history occurs every summer at the town park during the four-day “Power From the Past” show featuring antique steam engines, tractors, threshing machines, hay balers, a saw mill and much more - a whole collection of sights, smells, tastes and sounds to make memories and revive old ones.

Now, a new film documentary, Tractors on the Tippecanoe, has been produced by Anne Rebeck Scott to celebrate the tradition of the 47-year-old show. A premiere viewing of the film was held June 26 at the Isis Theater in Winamac.

Police investigate death of adult male

MEDARYVILLE - The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office responded Sunday (June 23) to a call for assistance for an unresponsive age 50s male, who later died at a Lake County hospital.

Police also report that two persons were later arrested at the scene, a residence north of Medaryville.

Eleven candidates file for school board elections at Eastern Pulaski, West Central

Updated

Candidate filing for fall school board elections closed at 12 noon, Thursday, June 20 for eight open seats. Eleven candidates filed for the election. The contested race will be for the three EPCS seats representing Monroe Township.

The elections will take place during the Nov. 5 General Election.

Star City Lions make donations to 4-H auction, Human Services

STAR CITY – The Star City Lions Club recently made two donations to support the Buyers Group for the July 3 4-H Fair Auction, and also to help purchase two new vehicles for the Arrowhead Country Public Transportation service.

The Star City Lions Club, affiliated with Lions International, was chartered in November 1972 with 27 members. Central to the organization’s mission is the improvement of health and wellbeing, the strengthening of communities, and the support of those in need through humanitarian service and grants.

Food Finders Food Bank celebrates, purchases Market Square property

LAFAYETTE (June 10) - Food Finders Food Bank has announced the purchase of its Market Square property – the location of the Fresh Market pantry.

The food bank services 16 area counties, including Pulaski County, with its supplemental food programs and services – including the well-known mobile food pantries.

West Central wraps up one school year, looks toward next

FRANCESVILLE – The West Central School board heard reports on summer school, software transitions, upcoming school facility projects, end-of-school-year programs, and plans for the next school year at its busy June meeting.

The board also heard that its wind turbine had a suspected lightning strike, school officials are awaiting PowerGrid Partners to come onsite to conduct repairs.